Chapter Twenty: In Which Lilah's Time Finally Arrives

It was time. The day that they had been awaiting for about a year and a half. Lulath and Lilah's wedding.

Celie gasped as the maid pulled the laces of her corset. This was her first time wearing a corset ever, and she hated it. It was uncomfortable, she couldn't breathe all the way, and it felt like her insides were getting squashed. Queen Celina chuckled at her face. As a part of the wedding party, apparently she had to look like a doll. She'd had to look formal for Rolf's wedding, but Kalys had been much more laid back on appearances. In fact, it was Queen Celina who had made her look formal. Now she had to be fancy. And wear a corset.

She had to admit, she looked nice. Standing in the mirror, she spun a bit, admiring how grown up she looked. Her hair was piled on top of her head, tiara secured. The dress she was wearing was an excellent shade of pastel blue, and she admired the way it defined her waist. Though the sleeves were a bit poofy for her taste, it was tolerable. Her mother looked very nice in a green gown with gold lining and embroidery. Though usually a blend of many colors didn't go very well together, Celie was very impressed at how well Lilah had mixed different shades together for her wedding. It was a talent Celie could only hope to possess.

Lilah was, of course, dressed in white, as Sleyenth tradition. Her gown was stunning. Beaded, embroidered, and poofy she looked more beautiful than any perfect portrait Celie had ever seen. Her hair was beautifully pinned and curled, some light makeup added to her eyes. She was the essence of beauty. Both Celie and her mother cried when they saw her, and she knew it wouldn't be the end of that. Today was going to be a rather emotional day.

"Oh, Delilah," Queen Celina breathed, dabbing at her eyes.

Though Celie wanted to launch at her sister in a crushing embrace, she held back. Lilah's gown was very delicate, and she couldn't bear to see her sister disappointed. It would be the worst thing to do.

The moment was ripped away too soon , though. Queen Celina briskly walked Celie down the hall where they would meet up with her siblings. Weddings were very odd, and since this wedding was traditionally Grathian, since Lilah had liked it better, it was going to be much different than Rolf's simple ceremony and feast. Lilah had claimed their brother's wedding was nearly an elopement, though it had been stressful enough to Celie.

They met up with the King Glower and Bran in a hallway near the chapel where the ceremony would take place. Bran wasn't wearing his voluminous wizard robes, and was dressed in a much more normal fashion; in black trousers and a blue tunic that matched Celie's. Her eldest brother was her escort, which Celie was secretly glad about, because she might be able to squeeze secrets out of him.

"You look very fancy," she told her wizardly brother and he beamed at her.

Unfortunately, for Celie, the griffins weren't allowed in the chapel. They roamed the halls for security purposes, but Lilah didn't want them to make a fuss and eat flowers during the ceremony. She supposed it was a reasonable request.

Her parents had gone a little ahead in the hall, whispering about something that Celie probably didn't care about, leaving them in silence. Rolf and Kalys were supposed to be there, but they were late. Bran was fiddling with some square box, pressing and clicking it. Celie didn't know if it was a project, or it was because Bran's wizard hands were fidgety. Both of her brothers had a tendency to be fidgety; heck, she was fidgety.

"Oh good, they're finally here," Queen Celina muttered, coming up back to them, glancing at Rolf.

Celie thought they were going rather slowly, but Kalys had to waddle. She looked perplexed and Rolf was seemed to be speaking very softly to her. He had a hand on her elbow, and she tripped a little, he held her up. She looked very nice in her green gown. It was very similar to Queen Celina's; though her embroidery was done in silver, and the style was a bit different. The gown had been stated months ago, and the seamstresses had done a nice job of fitting it to her growing body. Except for the shoulders and chest. Maybe that was why she looked so perplexed.

Queen Celina clucked, fussing at the tight shoulders. Celie thought it must be rather embarrassing for Kalys, but her mother was very stressed it seemed. She tried to pull a bit on the seams, but it was to no avail. The shoulders were tight, and it hung low.

"No one ever seems to know how the shoulders broaden during pregnancy," Queen Celina complained, with one last sympathetic pat to her shoulders.

Kalys rolled her eyes. "Everything has broadened on me. Everything has grown," she said grouchily. "Even my bum."

Queen Celina laughed, and Celie cracked a smile.

Rolf grinned. "My dear Kalys, that is a good thing." Celie watched, embarrassed as her brother smacked his wife on the rear and then squeezed.

"Rolf Edward Daric," Queen Celina hissed as a Grathian guest walked by.

Bran snorted, and King Glower looked like he was trying not to laugh. Kalys rolled her eyes at Celie, though she saw a hint of a smirk. Celie inhaled deeply as Bran took her arm, stepping in front of Rolf and Kalys. The time had come; the time which she had anticipated for a year and a half, cried for, laughed for, and rejoiced for. Even the Castle felt warm with joy.

And Celie was ready.

...

It wasn't that Bran didn't like weddings. He had really only attended a few, and he had formed his opinion. They were just very long. Especially Grathian style weddings. Sleyneth ceremonies were already very long, and the Grathians were over fourteen hours long apparently. It was utterly ridiculous. Since the wedding was in Sleyne, Lilah had decided it was only fair that they honor Lulath with his cultures traditions. So that meant having a translator who spoke Sleynthe to translate the Grathian priest. It was giving Bran a headache. Especially because they had hit hour three, and they hadn't even exchanged vows. So he stuck to finishing the cube puzzle he had brought with him.

Celie had fallen asleep twice on his shoulder, and King Glower was nodding off. It had been a very early morning for most of them, and was about to be a very long night. He sighed as the box clicked open, and he stared at the next challenge that rose with it. It had been a gift from Lulath; apparently they were all over in Grath. The quiet, easy to put in a pocket puzzle was probably designed with Grathian wedding ceremonies in mind. Good gracious, Bran was bored. He had decided as a teenager that if he was to ever marry, it would be an elopement, and he renewed the unwritten contract in his mind. The first hour of the ceremony Bran had been determined to focus on the words for the sake of his sister, but now even Lilah wore a look of remorse at her choice. Lulath had left it up to her, after all.

Celie tapped Bran's shoulder, a note in her hands. It was addressed to both of them in Rolf's scrawly handwriting. He could have good penmanship when he tried, but this was not one of those times. Bran nearly snickered when he read it, and Celie was trying not to laugh. It wasn't funny, but it was true.

I hope Delilah knows everyone can see the regret on her face for choosing a Grathian ceremony.

-Rolf

Bran sighed, pulling on a tiny lever. This was going to be very long.

After what felt like four hours of a rambling priest, vows were tearfully exchanged. Bran gulped as Lulath recited a poem dedicated to his undying love for Lilah, his promise of faithfulness to her in the hardest of times, and the yearnings of his heart to never let her down. Lilah cried. Bran glanced over to see tears running down Celie and his mother's cheeks as well. Even King Glower sniffled. Bran was sentimental; but not that much. Lilah tearfully read a letter of her affection to him, before the priest tied their hands together. The priest chanted some ancient Grathian the translator couldn't even keep up with, and then they were pushing weddings bands onto each other's fingers. And then they kissed. It was much less awkward than Rolf's. There were cheers as they beamed at each other, walking together out of the chapel. Onto hours of dancing.

Bran did almost tear up when he embraced Lilah. They had always gotten along when they were children; taking lessons together and riding together since before he went to the college. It was bittersweet to see her off to a start of a new life. He kissed the top of her forehead, and Lilah smiled up at him. He congratulated his new brother-in-law warmly, before going to stand by Rolf. He left, though, after getting surrounded by people he felt uncomfortable talking too.

He rested at the back of the room, keeping his head down. The villagers didn't recognize him as well when he wasn't wearing wizard robes, and he preferred to keep it that way. He didn't love talking small talk with strangers, probably the reason Rolf was heir instead of him, and this way he wouldn't have to. He sighed, resting his eyes.

"Lonely?"

He looked over to see Thalia grinning at him. He smiled, reaching for her hand. She looked very nice; hair braided out of her face, and wearing a dress that wasn't uniform wizard robes. She sighed.

"I think that was the longest ceremony I've ever attended," she said. "Pogue had to poke me seven different times."

Bran nodded. "That was tiring. This is the part that always gets me, though. I don't like dancing."

Thalia laughed. "A prince who doesn't like to dance."

Bran scowled. "It's very awkward, and I always am too distracted to remember the moves well. I have been taught by excellent instructors since I was five, but I still mess up the simplest of waltzes."

"I can see that," Thalia commented, lacing her fingers with his.

Celie interrupted by plopping herself down by Bran, pouting. Bran knew it wasn't a real pout, but she was trying to be dramatic. The enormous sigh proved his theory.

"We're the only ones left, Bran," she said, resting her head on the table.

"I thought you'd gotten over the fact that Lilah and Lulath were marrying," Bran said, eyebrows raised. "Your crown is slipping."

Celie grumped, pushing on the tiara. "It doesn't mean it makes me sad."

"You're telling me that Lulath's poem about his affection toward our sister made you sad?"

Celie groaned. "No, I suppose you're right, I should be happy about this."

Thalia kissed his cheek, before muttering something about cider and leaving him to deal with Celie. "I think you're still mad about Rolf and Kalys and not that Lilah and Lulath have finally tied the knot."

Celie lifted her head to look at him, cheeks red. "That's not true," she whined, though it sounded incredibly fake.

Bran laughed. "So I'm right."

"I didn't say that. But even you have to admit it there has been a lot of change this year."

"There's always been a lot of change, Cecelia, you should be used to it," he said, patting her hand awkwardly. He still didn't know why this bothered her so much. She had told him months ago that she was very happy for Lilah.

"Yes but, Rolf getting married and having a baby is long term change." Celie waved her hands about her head.

"So this is about Rolf." Bran's gaze focused on their brother who was smiling and conversing with some noble Bran sort of recognized. He seemed happy enough, though he still had a hand on Kalys's shoulder.

Celie dropped her hands on the table dramatically. "Maybe. It's just so weird."

Bran frowned. "Having a griffin at fourteen and living in a magic castle is weird too, but I don't hear you complaining about that."

"You know what I mean, Bran. And frankly, you're being very frustrating. I was excited to have you as my escort, but you're being rather boring, and Mother says that I have to spend most of my time with you." Celie pushed up at her tiara again, scowling.

"I'm sorry, I do suppose I know what you mean. You know, Rolf is only two years older than you," Bran mentioned, unaware of the affect it would have on his sister.

"Why would you say that? Oh, Bran! What if I'm married in the next two years?"

"You sound a lot like Delilah when you do that. Besides, Rolf's situation is very rare, and I'm sure it won't happen to you." He had always known he'd had dramatic sister, but Celie was being uncharacteristic. "Have you been drinking spirits?"

Celie's eyes went wide. "Of course not! Mother would have my head. She already fussed when Rolf took spirits for his wedding. If she even thought that I'd had a sip, she would take away Rufus. Why would you even ask that?"

"Because you're not acting like yourself," he responded. "Now come along, the feast is officially starting."

...

By the time the dancing had begun Kalys was about ready to fall over. She had been on her feet for the majority of the time, listening to Rolf or Queen Celina small talk with nobles; hearing crazy labor stories from women while they put both hands on her stomach. It was exhausting. She also felt very awkward just following Rolf or her mother-in-law around. She felt very clingy. Though Queen Celina had been teaching her small talk, it was still something she had to work on. Which was why she was actually relieved when the dancing started.

Though her legs were tired as she waltzed with Rolf, it was better than having to talk to the noblewoman who had vividly described intimacy after childbirth. Queen Celina had saved her from that one. She sighed; they were at a very awkward distance because of her swollen stomach, and she kept stumbling. He was gentle, though, and helped her back into the music.

"Remember last time when we danced at a wedding?" He asked smirking.

Kalys huffed, letting go of his hand to yank at her gown. "Trust me, I'm feeling the consequences."

Rolf laughed. "Kalys, that's not how babies are made."

"I don't want to talk about babies," she groaned, and Rolf muttered something incoherent. "I feel like I'm going to collapse."

Rolf went to cup her cheek as the music slowed. "We only need to be here for another hour; we can be permitted to leave around one."

She smiled gratefully, though gasped as some noblemen-or cousin- pulled her for a dance. Rolf smiled his good luck, as the man gripped her hand. Kalys tried to be nice, but she hadn't a clue what to say, and her hands were getting clammy. After a few moments of awkward small talk, and praise of her pregnancy beauty, she was releived when someone cleared their throat to take her hand. She was surprised to look up and see Bran, but she took his hand as they waltzed.

"You looked uncomfortable," he said. "And I understand being shy around strangers."

"Thank you," she whispered, focusing on the blue of his tunic.

"And Lord Jenkins is a creep," he added, smiling. "How have you been fairing during this wedding?"

Kalys sighed, and she felt Bran take a misstep and then curse and apologize. That made her feel a little better, Rolf was an excellent dancer, and that fact made her flaws stand out. "Honestly? Don't tell your sister, but I sort of want to run and hide."

Bran chuckled. "I understand that feeling. I've never been good with large groups of people."

"Really? I thought that was sort of something you would've gotten beat into you at a young age," Kalys remarked, tripping a bit as she swayed.

"My parents tried," he said distantly. "But it never really worked. I am very grateful for the Castle making Rolf the heir. I don't think I would've lasted long."

Kalys could hear the wistfulness in his voice, and she knew he wasn't lying. Sometimes she wondered why the Castle brought her here. Sure, she was the last Hathelock, but other than that, she had no skill sets going for her. Except for that one moment when she had been tempted with the thought of power by Casper, she had never been a natural leader. The future queen of Sleyne had a lot cut out for her, considering she hated crowds and had anxiety when it came to public speaking. It would make more sense if the Castle had given her a different job; perhaps working with the griffins the rest of her life.

"You wouldn't have married Rolf if that were the case," Bran said, making Kalys look up at him in shock.

"What? Did you just read my mind?"

"No," Bran denied. "Of course not. It was just very obvious what you were thinking. You and I are very similar I think, and it would make sense that you were wishing for a different job in this moment."

Kalys shrugged. Rolf had mentioned some similarities in her and Bran, though he had said that she was much less uptight. She had never related to her brother-in-law before, but she could start to see and understand him better in this moment. "I was."

"Rolf loves you," Bran said gently. "And I think you love him. I'm just telling you, that even if it was Casper who arranged this, and even if you feel unprepared for queenship, you should remember that you gained a very special thing from this."

Kalys swallowed, tearing up a bit. She cursed her hormones, but she wasn't sure if she would've been able to hold herself together if she wasn't pregnant. With everything she had experienced, everything she had learned, everyone who she had known, Rolf was the best thing that could've happened. She had needed him more than she knew, and her heart felt an intense gratitude for it. She smiled at Bran as the music slowed. With everything plaguing her mind, she had needed to hear that.

"Thank you," she said, on her tiptoes to kiss his cheek. "I needed to hear that."

...

Celie watched as Lilah and Lulath kissed for the fourth time while they danced. After she had danced with both of her brothers, Lulath, and her father, she was now dancing with Pogue. She would've rather danced with Rolf; he was a much better dancer and he would make funny comments about the noblemen and tell her the weird things their cousin Clint said, but he was dancing with Kalys. Bran was dancing with Thalia, and her parents swayed lovingly with each other. And Celie was stuck with Pogue. Not that she didn't like Pogue, but Pogue was a very bad dancer, and he was being awkward. Also, Rolf kept raising his eyebrows at her teasingly over Kalys's head.

She sighed as Pogue stepped on her toes. She was wearing very thin slippers and it hurt. But she smiled anyway as he apologized.

"Lulath and Lilah are finally married," he said, tightening his grip on her waist.

"Yes," Celie responded. "She looks very beautiful."

Pogue nodded. "She does. You look very nice too, Cecelia."

Celie wrinkled her nose. "Did you just call me by my full name?"

Pogue glanced away from her. "Yes. why?"

"Because you only used to call me that when you wanted me to bring you to Lilah for one of your flirting sessions," Celie said primly, liking the way Pogue seemed to squirm a little.

"Don't say that so loudly," he whispered, taking another misstep.

"Why?"

"Because it's her wedding, and there are people everywhere."

Celie thought that was a good point, so they went back to their silence. Celie could see Rolf and Kalys dancing their way off the dance floor gracefully, and she was jealous. She and Pogue could never pull that off, without looking like fools. Though she had been tempted to squeeze out of the room and go visit Rufus, her mother had said that she had to wait until Lilah and Lulath made their grand exit. That was scheduled to be in an hour. She sighed noisily.

Thankfully the music came to an end, and she tried to be elegant walking off to get some cider. Pogue followed her and together they sat down beside Rolf. He looked relieved to not be talking to some councilor and started jabbering with Pogue about something. Kalys, who was next to Celie, leaned her head on Celie's shoulder.

"Are you tired?" Celie asked, knowing the clock had struck midnight awhile ago.

"Extremely." Kalys rubbed a hand over her stomach, closing her eyes. Though the festivities were noisy, it was easily blocked out.

Celie leaned her head against Kalys's thinking very hard. She wondered how long it would be before Lulath and Lilah had a baby. It certainly hadn't taken Rolf long to reproduce. Both of them loved children, and probably wouldn't wait very long. She could see them with a baby in the next year, easily. It would be nice for Rolf's baby to have a cousin.

"How long do you think it will be before Lilah gets pregnant?" Celie asked, and Rolf popped his head up, surprised.

He shrugged. "Probably soon. Lilah loves babies. So does Lulath. Maybe we should give them ours, Kalys."

Pogue made a noise in his throat, like he was trying not to laugh and Kalys popped her head off Celie. "Great idea, Rolf. Let's tell everyone right now. Crown Prince has shrugged off the responsibility of cleaning the mess he made and gives his newly married sister the best wedding gift ever. His firstborn. We should consider Casper, first though, technically he was the first in line."

Rolf rolled his eyes, coming to stand behind Kalys. "Do you want to go?"

Celie grumped. Kalys and Rolf got a natural excuse to leave early because of her condition. Kalys nodded, standing up with Rolf's help. He kissed her forehead, and said something about a toast to Lilah first. He held his glass, made a congratulatory speech on his beautiful sister, a joke about Lulath, and his early goodbyes due to his wonderful and very anticipated unborn child, and led Kalys out of the ballroom.

Celie sighed one more time, and Pogue patted her shoulder. They talked for awhile, mostly about Grath before Lulath cleared his throat. He dipped Lilah, kissing her, before straightening.

"With a very sincere heart I thank you! You have blessed my precious Delilah with many gifts in celebration of us joining together, but the greatest present you could ever bring was your graceful selves to his wonderful ceremony. Truly, I say my greatest gratitude for all of you. I could go on, but it is time for me to take my most beautiful wife to our chambers."

Celie watched as the prince blew a kiss to the crowd, and scooped her blushing sister up. And then Celie cried.

I am so horrible at writing weddings. My greatest apologies. Until next time,

-geeky34